Packaged item including a packaging tie-down

Abstract

A packaged item including one or more packaging tie-downs configured to retain objects secured with a retention strap in association with packaging material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A packaged item, comprising
 packaging material; 
 a retention strap securing an item to the packaging material; and 
 a substantially planar tie-down body, the body comprising:
 an aperture in the tie-down body configured to receive the retention strap; and 
 an engaging structure on the tie-down body including a tongue defining an open slot, the tongue having a tab projecting into the open slot and a corresponding indentation in the other side of the slot, where the engaging structure is configured to securely engage the retention strap and includes a groove on the underside of the engaging structure configured to provide a channel for the retention strap. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The packaged item of  claim 1 , where the engaging structure is configured to securely and reversibly engage the retention strap. 
     
     
       3. The packaged item of  claim 1 , where the aperture is a slit, and the aperture and the open slot are disposed at approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The packaged item of  claim 1 , where the tie-down body is configured so that the retention strap is securable by threading it upwardly through the aperture, folding it upon itself, and passing it through the open slot and under the tongue. 
     
     
       5. The packaged item of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more protrusions on an underside of the tie-down body. 
     
     
       6. The packaged item of  claim 1 , further comprising a retention plate, wherein the retention strap is affixed to the retention plate. 
     
     
       7. A packaged item, comprising:
 packaging material; 
 a retention strap securing an item to the packaging material; and 
 a substantially planar tie-down body, the body comprising:
 a slit in the tie-down body configured to receive the retention strap; and 
 a tongue that is at least partially elevated with respect to the tie-down body, the tongue defining an open slot on the tie-down body, where the open slot is disposed at substantially a right angle to the slit in the tie-down body, and where the open slot is configured to securely engage the retention strap; 
 wherein the open slot includes a tab projecting from one side of the slot, and a corresponding indentation in the other side of the slot. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The packaged item of  claim 7 , where the tongue includes a groove on the underside of the tongue configured to provide a channel for the retention strap. 
     
     
       9. The packaged item of  claim 7 , where the tongue is configured to securely and reversibly engage the retention strap. 
     
     
       10. The packaged item of  claim 7 , where the tie-down body is configured so that the retention strap is securable by threading it upwardly through the slit, folding it upon itself, and passing it through the open slot and under the tongue. 
     
     
       11. The packaged item of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more protrusions on an underside of the tie-down body. 
     
     
       12. The packaged item of  claim 11 , where the tongue includes a groove on the underside of the tongue configured to provide a channel for the retention strap. 
     
     
       13. The packaged item of  claim 7 , further comprising a retention plate, wherein the retention strap is affixed to the retention plate. 
     
     
       14. A packaged item, comprising:
 packaging material; 
 a retention strap securing an item to the packaging material; and 
 a packaging tie-down, the tie-down comprising:
 means for receiving the retention strap in a tie-down body; and 
 means for engaging the retention strap; 
 wherein the means for engaging the retention strap is at least partially elevated with respect to the tie-down body and includes a groove on the underside of the means for engaging the retention strap, the groove configured to provide a channel to receive the retention strap; 
 further wherein the means for engaging the retention strap defines an open slot, the open slot including a tab projecting from one side of the slot, and a corresponding indentation in the other side of the slot. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The packaged item of  claim 14 , where the tie-down is configured to be secured against a backing sheet when the retention strap is engaged. 
     
     
       16. The packaged item of  claim 14 , where the means for engaging the retention strap is configured to securely and reversibly engage the retention strap. 
     
     
       17. The packaged item of  claim 14 , where the means for engaging the retention strap includes a tongue defining the open slot. 
     
     
       18. The packaged item of  claim 14 , where the means for receiving the retention strap and the open slot are disposed at approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
       19. The packaged item of  claim 14 , where the tie-down is configured so that the retention strap is securable by threading it upwardly through the means for receiving the retention strap, folding it upon itself, and passing it through the open slot and under the means for engaging the retention strap. 
     
     
       20. The packaged item of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more protrusions on an underside of the tie-down body.